Eugene - ERIEC Connectee - Connector Program
Zane - ERIEC Connector - Connector Program
My wife and I decided to move permanently to Canada back in 2019, but because of COVID 19, we had to modify our plans. Then in September 2021, we made the decision to move that December. We had both never experienced winter, and that was one of the main reasons we decided to move at that time so we could experience winter first hand. Moving to Canada was not easy for me as an established lecturer in my home country. On receiving our paperwork from IRCC, we were redirected to ERIEC to help us understand the professional climate of Edmonton. While we were still in Uganda, we had met virtually with April Zhang via Zoom, who is the Connector Program Coordinator at ERIEC. We asked her so many different questions including topics such as health care, driving, jobs, and what benefits we could qualify for as soon as we arrived to our Canadian destination, Edmonton, Alberta. April answered all our questions perfectly and this helped us to understand our new environment so much so before our arrival.
As soon as we arrived, April connected us with the rest of the amazing ERIEC Team! She then scheduled an appointment for me with Zane Hamm. Zane had the same occupational background as myself. I will never forget my meeting with her. We discussed academic research, which is both our passions. Zane provided me with lots of advice, but the advice that has stuck with me up until now is to “always do my best with every opportunity that comes my way”. She mentioned to me that Canada is fertile ground for research, and that is why I must do my best even when it is not research related because this will help to build my brand, and a strategy to get to where I need to be as an established researcher. It all comes down to networking. Zane also advised me to be patient…as we all know, patience is a virtue.
Networking is ideal for everyone, but with new professional immigrants, networking is a must do, and I commend ERIEC for all the wisdom and connections they have availed to me and my wife. A big shout out to the ERIEC Team! I recommend that all new professional immigrants in the Edmonton area reach out to ERIEC for both networking, and mentorship. The sky is no limit if we as new professional immigrants join and complete ERIEC’s enriching programs!
If you are interested in becoming a Connector in the ERIEC Connector Program, please reach out to April Zhang, Connector Program Coordinator, at [email protected]